Pioneering Sustainable Growth In Menoreh Kulon Progo

In the wake of the 2006 earthquake that struck Yogyakarta, a remarkable initiative emerged, spearheaded by Erna Rini Susilawati. This natural disaster became a catalyst for Erna, prompting her to dedicate her efforts to enhancing the welfare of farmers through cooperative ventures.

Erna, a resident of Kulon Progo in the Yogyakarta Special Region, has long been associated with Kaoem Telapak, an organisation previously known simply as Telapak. With an academic background in accounting from Sanata Dharma University, she had been engaged with a modest financial organisation prior to the earthquake—what she describes as “kind of an embryo of a credit union.”

The earthquake proved to be a turning point. It was then that Erna encountered Ruwi, a fellow Kaoem Telapak member. Together, they embarked on a series of discussions about community forests. Inspired by Mr. Ruwi’s introduction to the concept of community logging, they resolved to establish a cooperative dedicated to improving farmers’ livelihoods through sustainable resource management. “We met several times, then introduced the community logging programme,” Erna recalls.

Thus, the Wana Lestari Menoreh Cooperative (KWLM) was born. KWLM stands as an institution managing community forests, with commodities including standing timber such as jati, mahogani, and sengon. In addition, they cultivate fruit trees like durian, mango, and coconut. The cooperative’s membership primarily comprises farmer groups, and an innovative approach is employed where members are provided with seedlings to replant whenever they sell timber to the cooperative. “To be replanted to a better spot,” Erna explains. These seedlings are often acquired in partnership with the forestry service of the Yogyakarta Special Region.